Seed Fund for Community Events
The Seed Fund is now closed for Applications. Thank you to all who applied!
Our seed funds aim to help local organisers set up community climate festivals and events across Scotland. Supported by the Scottish Government, this funding is for community events that encourage awareness, conversation, and action on climate following the COP26 UN Climate Conference in Glasgow.
For this first wave, we’re considering applications from festivals and community events taking place between 1 November 2021 and 31 March 2022.
The deadline for applications for funding is 1st March 2022.
Who can apply?
If you need a bit of help to kick-start your event plans this year and get your wider community involved, then our Seed Fund grants of up to £500 could be for you. This can be for any climate-related community event, such as a growing workshop, led bike ride, introduction to community energy, local forage, topical conversation or film screening. Events can be in venues or online!
You don’t need to be an officially constituted group to apply, only to have a clear request of what the funds will be used for and to be able to report back to us after your event.
We particularly encourage applications from smaller organisations and groups that are interested in starting a new climate event in their local community, or in getting their fledgling event to the next stage.
Our first seed-funded community event took place in Falkirk during COP26 and since then we've funded events all over the country, from Annan to Inverness to the Isle of Coll.
What are the selection criteria?
Your event must:
- Be run by a local, Scottish-based, community-led group. Examples of this include local charities, voluntary groups, development trusts, housing associations, schools, sports clubs, faith groups, etc.
- Be taking place in Scotland (either physical on online) with funding spent by 31 March 2022.
- Have a focus on climate solutions and actions through either practical workshops, cultural events, or community conversations. Themes can include:
- Arts
- Energy
- Food
- Growing
- Policy
- Travel
- Waste
- However, any environmental topic or angle will be considered.
- Involve and benefit the local community.
- Include local action to improve the local environment.
- Be delivered in an environmentally friendly manner.
In addition, our priority is to support groups that can demonstrate one or more of the following:
- Smaller community groups who may otherwise not have access to funds.
- Diverse groups outside the usual environmental grassroots which are engaging new audiences in climate issues.
- Applicants in outlying areas where there are not other climate festivals or activities.
- Events that have a clear need for funds to support activities.
- New climate events in their first year - or fledgling events that aim to get to the next stage.
Do we need to have a bank account?
No – if we have agreed the funding with you, then your vendors can invoice us directly to pay expenses, such as a community hall, tech rental company, printer etc. Our priority is to cover expenses within your local community, so that funds will have a benefit there.
How much is available?
We are offering small seed funds to cover event expenses between £100 and £500.
We expect to fund between 35-50 events for Scotland’s Climate Festival.
When should I apply?
The deadline for applications for funding is 1st March 2022.
Seed Fund Application Form
If you have questions about the seed fund or need help completing the application, such as access to a printable version of the application form, please contact us at climatefestivalscot@keepscotlandbeautiful.org
Applications are now closed
What happens after I apply?
When will I find out if I have been successful?
Your application form will be considered and one of our Climate Festival Officers will get back to you to confirm if you have been successful/unsuccessful.
Applications are reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis, usually within a week of receiving your application.
If you are applying very close to your event dates, we can consider and confirm funds retroactively (after your event has already taken place).
How will Keep Scotland Beautiful decide on the successful applications?
Applications will be assessed against the criteria of the Seed Fund and those which most closely match them will be approved. We would like to support communities the length and breadth of Scotland and this will be considered in the approval process.
How is the money paid?
Funds will be paid by bank transfer.
When will I receive the money?
Payments will be made to you within 14 days of approving your application.
When do I need to spend the funds?
All funds need to be spent before 31 March 2022.
Do I have to provide receipts and proof of expenditure?
Yes, please keep receipts as we will ask you to provide a list of what you have spent the money on.
What can the money be spent on?
Anything that is of reasonable benefit to your event – from venue space to technical equipment rental, printing costs, advertising, supplies, a Zoom webinar subscription for your online events, guest travel expenses, refreshments for your crew and other volunteer expenses... the list is endless! Our preference is to cover expenses within your local community, so that funds will have a direct benefit there.
What am I expected to report on and when?
We will contact you to request a report on your event as your feedback helps us to build a picture of overall climate action and progress across Scotland. This will be a form template and we will ask for 1. a description of activities the money has been spend on 2. a list of what you have spent the money on 3. a description of community involvement at your event and any resulting local benefits or climate actions.
We might also request photos from your event or contact you about participating in a case study.
Will we be required to promote Scotland's Climate Festival if we are awarded seed funds?
Yes - If successful, you will be required to use our Scotland’s Climate Festival logo on your festival’s material and your website, and to mention your involvement with Keep Scotland Beautiful and Scotland’s Climate Festival in your communications, such as your press announcements, newsletters and social media.
If you require any additional support submitting your funding request, please contact us at climatefestivalscot@keepscotlandbeautiful.org
